Everybody back safe and sound from Sturgis? Everyone (that needs to be) back in school? Work all settled down to wrap up the end of summer? My biz doesn’t really change with the seasons. Maybe I go from selling air-conditioner compressors to wiper motors, but for the most part, the wrecking biz is fun and different every day. For motorcycling in SoCal, it doesn’t change at all in the “fall” months, because we don’t have an autumn like other parts of the country. We go straight from hotter than the gates of hell to pleasant and then cold, all in the space of about a month or so. In the Inland Empire, where I work, September is usually the roughest month of the year; always hot and not really that much fun to ride in. But there are still some events to be had, even though most of the bike nights have wrapped up. For those you love but aren’t sure if they continue into September, check out THUNDER PRESS’s online source at www.thunderpressed.wpengine.com and look for the “Bike Nights” link under the “Thunder Press Calendar” drop down list from the main navigation bar to find the ones that are still going strong. Had enough of the same old, same old over the summer? Try this one on: I got an e-mail from Penny Nicolai up in Santa Rosa. She tells me AMA Pro Flat Track action is back at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds after an absence of 42 years. Here’s what she tells me: “The riders’ names are different, the machinery is more sophisticated and the stakes are higher. What is the same is the incredible handlebar-to-handlebar action from start to finish as you watch America’s top AMA Pro Flat Trackers go for the glory. Boasting the talents of today’s stars such as reigning two-time champion (2010 and 2011) Jake Johnson, 2009 champion Jared Mees, three time champion Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (2006, 2007, 2008), Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Brad Baker, Bryan Smith, Johnny Lewis, Matt Weidman and a host of others leaves no doubt regarding spectacular nonstop action that will be seen. Every rider wants to be the one who takes the checkered flag at the return of the Santa Rosa Mile.” Sound fun? It’s a three-day affair starting September 30. Need more info? Call Penny direct at 818.881.6458, or shoot her an e-mail at pennynicolai@aol.com… September also has a few more dates on the schedule if you’re a Brad Wilson fan—only one SoCal appearance at Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach on September 28. But if you don’t mind a ride (and what self-respecting biker does?) September 8 brings him to D’Ambino Vineyards’ Bikes, Blues & BBQ in Paso Robles and Three Rivers’ Gateway Restaurant on September 15… If you’re planning on a trip that takes you to Texas in the near future, I saw a cool news piece on the D’Rose Inn and Cabins in Leakey, Texas. This place is very cool—it only rents rooms to bikers. As advertised, the D’Rose Inn and Cabins is located on U.S. Highway 83, in Leakey (LAY-key), the motorcycle mecca of Texas, and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful views in the Texas Hill Country. The three-acre property offers three rooms and 11 cabins. It has a pool, covered pavilion, barbecue grills and picnic tables throughout the property. Owner Deb Rose has a Ph.D. in business and this is how she chose to use it. How cool is that? Contact them online by just typing “D’Rose Inn & Cabins” into your search bar, or call them at 830.232.5246… Congrats to Myles Bois, winner of Valley V-Twin’s free oil change for Facebook likes!… I always run into bikers through my work, not saying wrecking yards and bikes go together, but somehow… This past month I met Alfonso Villagrano who was picking up a Cougar quarter panel out of my vintage section for Hoffman Motors… I chatted for a bit with Dee Bickette’s dad, who tells me his daughter works at Quaid H-D in Redlands. I’ll make a point of introducing myself the next time I’m over there, Dee!… Also, for the vintage parts I met Len “Bearwalker” Hodson. When he gave me his card, I told him I recognized his name, because I’d mentioned him in an article a few years back when I covered the Mountain Classics Car & Bike Show where he won a Best of Show award. He remembered mine, too, because he’d scanned the photo out of THUNDER PRESS and used it on his website. Cool Len! I’m still looking for your ’53 Chevy wheel. Riding with him that afternoon was his buddy, Andy Pearl—nice meeting up with both of you guys!… Lots of birthdays this month, so let’s get these parties started: Happy birthday, Dennis Britton! Jessie Massoudi—hope your birthday is a fun one! Joe Knotts, Joyce Donaldson, Chris Mooney, Trace Paredes, Eric Skelton and Josh Carmer—you desert folks all share September birthdays—now we all know what your parents were doing for New Year’s Eve! Hope your special days are all great! Also, happy birthday to Lexie “Ms Poppins” Fetty’s boyfriend, Steven Estudillo. And Kelly Broich, hope you have a fun birthday, too!… Don and Sharron Berry, here’s wishing your son Chad a speedy recovery from his emergency surgery… Alysson Smythe, keep getting better honey, we miss you! That’s it for this month; you guys know the stuff to do—send me your birthdays, parties, businesses that need some recognition—anything your fellow readers will appreciate, send it! See you all in October—in the meantime—enjoy your ride!
